GM’S FAULTY GEARBOX CLASS-ACTION CONUNDRUM
Oh, the joys of modern automotive technology. Just when you thought electric cars were stealing all the headlines for their teething problems, good ol’ internal combustion engines remind us they still have plenty of gremlins bothering their owners. The timely reminder comes courtesy of a class-action lawsuit aimed squarely at General Motors and their allegedly faulty transmissions.
It seems roughly 800,000 vehicles from Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC, spanning model years 2015 to 2019 and equipped with the infamous 8L45 and 8L90 transmissions, are caught in a legal tussle. Drivers allege their beloved rides shake, shudder, and lurch like a caffeine-deprived teenager on a Monday morning. Not exactly the smooth, refined experience you’d expect from such esteemed brands.
Technical Troubles and a ‘Normal’ That’s Anything But
The heart of the issue lies in these transmissions’ alleged “inability to purge trapped air due to an insufficient valve body architecture.” Translation: these gearboxes can’t seem to get rid of pesky air bubbles, leading to those unpleasant jolts and hesitations.
GM reportedly developed a new automatic transmission fluid and used it in vehicles that were languishing on dealership lots. Yet, they allegedly neglected to share this elixir with existing customers. And to top it all off, the lawsuit claims GM instructed dealers to tell customers that harsh shifts were “normal.” Normal? We are pretty sure “normal” doesn’t involve feeling like you’re riding a bucking bronco every time you accelerate.
A Rogues’ Gallery
So, which vehicles are embroiled in this gearbox drama? Let’s see, we’ve got the Chevrolet Silverado, Colorado, Corvette, and Camaro; the Cadillac Escalade, ATS, CTS, and CT6; and the GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Canyon. Basically, a who’s who of popular GM models from the mid-2010s.
Of course, GM isn’t taking these accusations lying down. They argue that most class members haven’t experienced any transmission issues and lack standing to sue. They also claim any disputes should be resolved through arbitration, not a class-action lawsuit.
However, Circuit Judge Karen Nelson Moore wasn’t swayed. She pointed out that it doesn’t matter how many drivers experienced problems; what matters is whether GM concealed known defects. Ouch.
It’s Gonna Be a Bumpy Ride
So, where do we go from here? U.S. District Judge David Lawson certified class actions for the alleged transmission faults back in March 2023. Now, GM must face the music in court since last week, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Judge Lawson and dismissed GM’s appeal.
Will this be a slam-dunk case for the plaintiffs? Or will GM manage to shift the blame and avoid a costly settlement? This legal battle is a stark reminder that even in the age of electric cars, traditional automotive technology can still throw us a curveball. Electric or not, cars are complicated machines and things do go wrong. And unfortunately, manufacturers will try and do whatever they can to cover up their mistakes.
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